Man carrying antique rifle near school sparks police investigation

Kevin Rector, The Baltimore Sun

A man raised the suspicions of several people at Villa Cresta Elementary School in Parkville on Monday after reportedly walking the perimeter of the school's property at the time of dismissal with what one witness said appeared to be a shotgun, according to Baltimore County Police.

Police later identified the man and determined that he was carrying an unloaded, antique rifle, said Elise Armacost, a police spokeswoman, in a news release Tuesday. Police are unsure whether the rifle was operable, and the investigation continues, she said.

Officers were first called to the school in the 2600 block of Rader Avenue about 3:30 p.m. Police said a preliminary investigation showed "the item the man carried was pointed at the ground and was not used in a threatening manner."

Witnesses reported that the man, who did not interact with anyone else or attempt to enter the school, left the property after getting into the passenger side of a white commercial van, police said.